Rashawn Rembert converted a pair of free throws and drained a 3-pointer in the final minute to pull the Buccaneers within two, 75-73 with 43 seconds left, but ETSU could not score again and USC-Upstate padded its lead from the free throw line.

Jodd Maxey added 19 points while the Spartans shot a crisp 51.9 percent from the field (28 of 54).

East Tennessee State (17-14, 10-8) must await the results of Saturday's remaining conference games to learn its seed for the tournament.